Conversations follow rules very like logical syllogisms. Violating the rules
too seriously is called non-sequitor in both logic and conversation. Bending
them creatively is poetry. But since we acknowledge that both logic and
conversation is simply a method of generating new premises from current
premises where do we get the original premises from?
Does it matter? Is the purpose of a conversation the exchange of "content"
or is the medium the message? Does it matter what the context is? Is it
useful to be able to bullshit in the coffeehouse? Are people really attracted
to logic? A common trait desired by people in their closest friends and
lovers is "a sense of humor"?
When people say "I want you to be honest" what do they mean by that?
Is being honest a sort of diahrea of the mouth where you say whatever
happens to cross your mind...or does honesty involve some sense of
compassion for the audience; perhaps a sense of respect?
If logic agrees with concepts like "respect", "compassion", "honesty", and
"humor" it is becuase logic was premised on these concepts, not the
reverse.
Reed
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Reed Konsler konsler@ascat.harvard.edu
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